Second Financial Gift Received from Bethel United Church of Christ

As you may recall, last month I received an email message from Whit Wheeler, a member of Bethel United Church of Christ, Arlington, VA. He shared that on behalf of their entire congregation and leadership team he was writing to share that their congregation donated a financial gift (via our website) to us because they “wanted to let you and your congregation know that you are not alone. We wanted to reach out from Bethel’s church family to yours at Hope to say that you and your entire community are in our thoughts and prayers.”

Not only did we receive this initial gift, but the congregation took a special offering. We received that gift on Friday, September 25, of more than $350.00. Whit wrote in his note, “Please consider it (the financial gift) a small gesture of our Lord’s radical hospitality from your brothers and sisters across the country in Bethel UCC. You are not forgotten; you remain in our hearts, thoughts and prayers!”

This community and congregation had experience a similar situation eight years ago when a smaller, less powerful Derecho struck their area. Some members of their congregation have relatives or friends in Iowa.

May we pay this gift forward one day and be the church that reaches out to another in time of crisis and need.